Our Sold Archive provides information to budding vintage fountain pen/writing equipment collectors and social history students.
Each fountain pen or piece of writing equipment forms part of the collective history of its period and has a history unique to that particular item. In the 1930’s a silver banded fountain pen (right) was purchased by estate workers, with no doubt hard earned wages, and inscribed to present as a silver wedding gift to the land owner. It was reported recently that, in the days before the National Health Service, when health care had to be paid for, a man pawned his fountain pen to raise funds to enable his wife to be released from hospital. A recently sold writing cabinet was originally a presentation piece to recognise 40 years of loyal service in a period when jobs were for “life”. Just three examples which only scratch the surface of the lifetime of memories held within each item. A treasure trove of history that no new fountain pen could convey.
Below, and on following pages, are all the pens in our Sold Archive, displayed in a random order. If you wish to search the sold archive, then the Search Catalogue page gives you an opportunity to do so. On other pages you can find the desktop items part of our Sold Archive, as well as lists of our current stock of pens and desktop items.
Conway Stewart No. 58 Jet Black | Stock number: 5067 |
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Fine nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This Conway Stewart No.58 vintage pen was made in England in the early 1950’s and is in the classic finish of jet black with rolled gold trim - a popular combination to this day. It has two thin and one thick cap bands and the original Conway clip and lever. The barrel states “Conway Stewart 58” “Made in England”. The original large Conway Stewart Duro 14ct gold nib, marked as 58, has a fine point. The condition of the pen is good as stated in the main listing with very minor surface wear due to age. The pen measures 13 cm with cap on and 16cm with cap on barrel end. This excellent Conway classic is suitable for everyday use and/or as an addition to a collection. All fountain pens are professionally serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. and bench tested prior to offering for sale. A further inspection is carried out before despatch. A gift box is available free of charge on request and filling instructions will be sent with your order. | |
Parker Rare Duofold Junior | Stock number: 5090 |
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Medium nib, Button fill system. |
Sold |
This vintage pen, is in a rare and sought after finish termed Black Lined Pearl. It was made by Parker in the UK around 1940 at a time when their Newhaven factory were producing Duofold pens similar to those produced by Parker in the USA and Canada. The barrel imprint reads “Geo S. Parker Duofold TM”. The nib has a medium point and states: “Parker Duofold Pen 14k N” The cap has the original ball ended Parker clip and two thin cap bands The bands have brassing and there is minor age wear to the pen overall but despite its age a good colour match remains between barrel and cap. It has a more greeny/gold tinge than is evident in the photograph. This vintage pen is a button filler which means that you unscrew a blind cap at the end of the barrel to reveal a button which you press to expel the air in the sac and depress to allow the ink to enter – a clean and efficient filling method. A fine example of a rare English Parker, measuring 125cm with cap on and 15.1cm with cap on end of barrel. A good daily writer and/or addition to a collection in an unusual finish. All fountain pens are professionally serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. and bench tested prior to offering for sale. A further inspection is carried out before despatch. A gift box is available free of charge on request and filling instructions will be sent with your order.
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Conway Stewart No. 84 | Stock number: 5165 |
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Medium nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This Conway Stewart No. 84 in green marble finish was made in England around 1953. It has the original Conway clip to the cap with one wide cap band. The body has the original Conway lever and the inscription “Conway Stewart 84 Made in England”. The nib is a Conway 14ct medium point. There is some minor age wear but this does not detract from this shorter than usual Conway measuring 11.7cm with cap on and 14cm with cap on barrel end. Its attractive green marble finish is typical of the vintage pens of the period. An ideal pen to either add to a Conway Stewart collection or use as an everyday writer. All fountain pens are professionally serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. and bench tested prior to offering for sale. A further inspection is carried out before despatch. A gift box is available free of charge on request | |
Sheaffer Targa Fluted - gold plated overlay | Stock number: 5298 |
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Broad nib, Cartridge fill system. |
Sold |
This vintage pen is one of the successful Targa range - a model produced by the Sheaffer Pen Company from 1976 to 1999. This particular example (model 1005) has a 23ct gold plated fluted overlay with black inlay on both ends. The stylish Sheaffer 14ct gold inlaid nib with a broad point states "Sheaffer U.S.A. 585 14k". The text around the lip of the cap states "Sheaffer U.S.A. Gold Electro Plated". You will see from the photograph that the condition of the nib and pen body is very good. As you would expect it has the Sheaffer "Lifetime" dot on the clip. It currently has the Sheaffer ink cartridge filling system however a piston filler unit is available to enable you to fill from an ink bottle if you prefer – at no extra charge. This fine example of a Sheaffer Targa measures 13.7cm with cap on and 15.5cm with cap on end. The Targa range is fast becoming highly collectable. It was available in a wide range of finishes which makes it an interesting model to collect as well as a pleasure to use everyday – particularly if you prefer a broader nib point. All fountain pens are professionally serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. unless stated otherwise and bench tested prior to offering for sale. A further inspection is carried out before despatch. A gift box is available free of charge upon request. | |
Sheaffer Targa 1001 X | Stock number: 5112 |
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Medium nib, Squeezebox fill system. |
Sold |
This vintage pen is one of the successful Targa range produced by the Sheaffer Pen Company during the 1980's. This particular model is the 1001 X with a brushed chrome finish and gold fill trim. It has a stylish Sheaffer inlaid nib with a medium point which states "Sheaffer U.S.A. 585 14k". Condition of the nib and pen body is good. It has the Sheaffer "Lifetime" dot on the clip with gold plating on the cap top, clip and trim. As you will see from the photograph there is minimum age wear overall. It has the original Sheaffer model and nib width sticker on the reverse of the cap. This can of course be easily removed if you wish. It has an aerometric (squeezebox) filling system however it can also take a Sheaffer ink cartridge. It measures 14cm with cap on and 15.5cm with cap on end. A stylish vintage pen to either add to a Targa collection or use as an everyday writer. A matching ball pen will shortly be available in the accessories section. All fountain pens are professionally serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. and bench tested prior to offering for sale. A further inspection is carried out before despatch. A gift box is available free of charge on request. | |
Waterman Ripple No.52 | Stock number: 5043 |
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Medium nib, Lever fill system. |
Sold |
This “Ripple” Waterman vintage pen was made in the United States in the late 1920’s. The body is made of hard rubber in common with most fountain pens of this era, however the pattern is synonymous with Waterman pens of the period. The barrel states “Waterman’s Fountain Pen, “REG US (Ideal lozenge) PAT. OFF”, “Ripple”. The lower end of the barrel states “Waterman’s REG US PAT. OFF. Made in USA.” The actual end of the barrel has the Waterman model number of “52”. The lever and clip bear Waterman’s “Ideal” lozenge. The nib is a Waterman’s 14ct Ideal with a medium point. This fountain pen is in good condition with only minor colour change between nib neck and cap cover area. This is fairly common in pens of this type and age. An excellent pen, made in the late 20’s, recently restored and looking forward to many more years of service. All fountain pens are professionally serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. and bench tested prior to offering for sale. A further inspection is carried out before despatch. A gift box is available free of charge on request. | |
Parker Victory MK I | Stock number: 4013 |
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Medium nib, Button fill system. |
Sold |
This English vintage fountain pen was made around 1942 by the Parker Pen factory, most likely at the old Valentine pen works at Newhaven. Parker, having taken over the Valentine Pen Co. to ensure UK Parker production, had by this stage begun to phase out Valentine pens and by 1945 manufacturing had concentrated on Parker model production. This particular model is the Victory MKI and it was produced in colours similar to Parker’s successful Duofold range – in this instance the finish is termed lined rose, silver and burgundy marble. As you will see the rolled gold Parker ball ended clip was still in use at this time. This particular MKI is the bandless model and therefore has no cap band. The barrel imprint reads “Parker Victory Reg T.M.”. It has a 14k warranted 1st class medium point nib and measures 13cm with cap on and 15.8cm with cap on barrel end. Condition is good with some minor age wear overall with slightly more wear to the blind cap at the bottom of the barrel which you remove to reveal the filling button. However this is reflected in the price. This is a classic vintage Parker, in a pleasing and popular finish, which will serve well as an everyday writer or to add to a vintage fountain pen collection as an example of its type. All vintage pens are professionally serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. and bench tested prior to offering for sale. A further inspection is carried out before despatch. A gift box is available free of charge on request and filling instructions will be sent with your order.
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Merlin No.33 Blue Striated | Stock number: 1029 |
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Fine to Medium nib, Button fill system. |
Sold |
This Merlin No.33 button filling vintage fountain pen was made in Germany around 1950. It is a very serviceable economy line button filling pen. Being 12cm (4½ inches) long with the cap on it is a good size for the smaller hand. This particular example has a blue striated finish with gold tone trim. Whilst it is a vintage pen it has not previously seen much use and therefore the fine-medium Merlin 14ct gold nib will smooth to suit your hand. It measures 11.8cm with cap on and 14cm with cap on barrel end. It is in good condition with only minor age wear, primarily to the trim as can be seen in the photograph. A good everyday writer for the smaller hand. All fountain pens are professionally serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. unless otherwise stated and are bench tested prior to offering for sale. A further inspection is carried out before despatch. Filling instructions will be sent with your order. A gift box is available free of charge on request. | |
Parker 51 Flighter Set | Stock number: 5237 |
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Medium nib, Aerometric fill system. |
Sold |
The magnificent “51 Flighter” was introduced by Parker in the U.S.A. in 1949. This particular example, whilst one of the earlier models (the cap features the rolled gold band which was subsequently dropped), is slightly later – estimated at 1953. The cap and barrel are in a metal Parker termed “lustraloy” a finish which visually aligned it to the aircraft which inspired its design. The advertising at its launch, which also stressed its dependability and durability stated: “The Flighter…a new Parker “51”. Here is a foretaste of the future – a smooth writing beauty fashioned in a modern mood. Beneath its silvery exterior, there’s the most advanced pen ever created…” .
The aerodynamic design of the Parker 51 fountain pen has made it a classic and the plaudits it has received over the years both in terms of design and reliability are well deserved. Its contribution to design is evidenced by its display in the Design Museum in London and the Museum of Modern Art in New York and it has been marketed as “51…the world’s most wanted pen”. This particular model with its lustraloy finish and gold fill cap band, cap tassle and arrow clip is a classic vintage Parker. It has a Parker 51 smooth medium nib. The aerometric filling system is often termed "squeezebox" and is a very simple method of filling the pen with ink by unscrewing the barrel to expose a metal shell covering the ink sac - just press the metal bar and release four times and this vintage pen is ready to use. The matching repeater style pencil is in full working order and has the original rubber in place and the same aerodynamic styling as the fountain pen. This is an excellent example of a rare and classic vintage Parker fountain pen and pencil set in good condition with only minor age wear. The fountain pen measures 13.8cm with cap on 15cm with cap on barrel end. The pencil measures 13.2cm. Both have the pearlescent grey jewel on the cap top. The Parker “51” is a stylish pen and an excellent everyday workhorse. All fountain pens are professionally serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. and bench tested prior to offering for sale. A further inspection is carried out before despatch. A gift box is available free of charge on request and filling instructions will be sent with your order.
Source: Parker “51” – David and Mark Shepherd. | |
Mabie Todd & Co. Ltd. Swan Leverless Lizardskin | Stock number: 5194 |
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Fine to Medium nib, Leverless fill system. |
Sold |
This rare and unusually patterned leverless vintage fountain pen was made by Mabie Todd & Co. Limited in England around 1938 and marketed under the “Swan” branding. The finish is called “Lizardskin” and should not be confused with the “Snakeskin” model which was also available at the time but which is less rare. The beautiful finish is termed Iridescent Blue. The strong barrel imprint reads “Swan Leverless Pen – Patent No. 390585/32 – Mabie Todd & Co. Limited Made in England – Trade Mark” and has impressed figure of a Swan. The cap carries the Swan emblem on the top as does the gold fill cap clip. The cap has two thin cap bands and both the top of the cap and the bottom of the barrel have black edging – the barrel edging is what you turn to fill the pen. The “Lizardskin”’s leverless filling system provided elegance and simplicity in design but did reduce the ink capacity compared to other pens of a similar size due to the internal filling mechanism.
Condition is good with only minor age wear to the body and some brassing to the cap clip. The nib is a “Swan No.2” 14ct with a fine to medium point. This exceptional vintage fountain pen measures 13cm with cap on and 15cm with cap on barrel end. It is a fine example of its type which will be an excellent addition to a vintage pen collection or a treasured everyday writer. All fountain pens are professionally serviced by Vintage Fountain Pens Inc. and bench tested prior to offering for sale. A further inspection is carried out before despatch. Filling instructions will be sent with your order. A gift box is available free of charge upon request.
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If you would like us to try to source another copy of a previously sold item, please stating the stock number of the item in question, which you will see above its picture on the right.